By Donnie A. LucasBoth the sixth and seventh grade bands earned three Division I ratings from the judges for concert selections played at the Clyde Band Festival last week.“Both bands got straight Division I ratings across the board,” director William Vaughan said.

By Sam WallerMembers of the Albany High School Class of 2023 face a full schedule over the next three weeks with activities planned during the runup to graduation.Albany will hold commencement ceremonies Friday, May, 26.

By Sam WallerThe Feed Store will once again sponsor a Powder Puff game at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, May 7 at Robert Nail Memorial Stadium.The event was revived last year after being dormant for several years. It was formerly sponsored by the Albany High School Student Council.

By Sam WallerFirst Baptist Church of Albany is gearing up for a string of summer children’s programs that will extend into August.Preteen MinistryA Preteen Ministry started Wednesday, May 3 for students who are finishing sixth grade.The program will be held 5:30-7:15 p.m.

By Sam WallerObservance of the National Day of Prayer will be held at noon Thursday, May 4 (today) at the Bank Park.The event is conducted by members of the Albany Ministerial Alliance.

By Melinda L. LucasJust under 70 adults and children were screened at last Saturday’s free vision clinic sponsored by the Albany Lions Club at the Friendship Baptist Church activity center.“We saw 69 people during the four hours the event was open,” said club secretary Bob Skelton.

By Sam WallerAlbany won the boys team title, and local athletes claimed five spots at the state track meet with event wins at the Region II-2A meet.The Class 2A state meet will be held Friday, May 12, at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin.

By Sam WallerThe Albany Lions put the finishing touches on the District 8-2A baseball championship April 25 with a 10-0 victory against Cisco on senior night.

By Sam WallerAlbany’s junior high tennis program wraps up its season this week with the district tournament at Abilene’s Rose Park Tennis Center.Boys will play Thursday, May 4 (today), with girls playing Friday, May 5.Coach M.J. Reneau said Albany’s 19 players will mostly play doubles.

By Sam WallerThe Albany Lady Lions saw their softball season come to a disappointing end with a pair of lopsided losses to Hawley in a Class 2A bi-district season.The Lady Lions finished the year with a 15-15-1 record. Battling low numbers from the start, Albany dropped its last five games.